Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol. 27, No.

5
Paper ID GTJ10784
Available online at: www.astm.org

A. Sridharan1 and H. B. Nagaraj2

Coefficient of Consolidation and its Correlation

with Index Properties of Remolded Soils

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of the rate at which the compression of the soil layer takes place is essential from design considerations. This can
be achieved by determining the value of the coefficient of consolidation, cv . To obtain cv , it is essential to conduct a routine one-dimensional
consolidation test. With the obtained time-compression data, and using any one of the several available curve-fitting procedures, cv can be evaluated.
This is a time-consuming process. Also, the fact that many curve-fitting procedures are available in the literature suggests that none of them are
completely satisfactory in evaluating cv and, hence, the large variation in the evaluated values by different procedures. Hence, it is desirable to predict
the value of cv by any correlation equation relating with some simple index property. This will be quite satisfactory, especially so for preliminary
assessment purposes. From the present experimental study on remolded soils, it is found that cv has a better correlation with the shrinkage index,
which is the difference between liquid limit and shrinkage limit.

KEYWORDS: compressibility, rate of settlement, coefficient of consolidation, geotechnical engineering

Introduction
Founding of any structure on a compressible soil layer leads to its
settlement. The amount of settlement is related to the compression
index, Cc , or coefficient of volume change, mv . Knowledge of the
rate at which the compression of the soil layer takes place is essential
from design considerations. This parameter assumes importance in
the preloading technique for ground improvement. This can be
achieved by determining the value of coefficient of consolidation,
cv . To obtain cv , a routine one-dimensional consolidation test is
usually performed. With the obtained time-compression data, and
using any one of the several available curve-fitting procedures, cv
can be evaluated. It may be seen from the literature (e.g., Olson
1986; Sridharan and Prakash 1995) that the suitability of any curve
fitting procedure depends upon the soil type. Since many factors
affect cv , the experimental behavior of soil in the one-dimensional
consolidation test does not completely match with the theoretical
relationship of consolidation as obtained by Terzaghi’s equation,
which is made use of in the curve fitting procedures. In view of the
complexity of obtaining cv from a consolidation test, any attempt
to obtain the same from the correlation with the index properties
for preliminary design will be most welcome.
Prediction of Coefficient of Consolidation—State of the Art
Many engineering properties are correlated with the index prop-
erties. Similarly, efforts, though limited, have been made in the
past to predict coefficient of consolidation (Carrier 1985; Raju
et al. 1995).
It appears that Carrier (1985) made an early attempt to predict
coefficient of consolidation, cv (in m2 /s) as given by the following
Received August 27, 2001; accepted for publication March 12, 2004; pub-
lished August 25, 2004.
1 Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore, India.
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, BMS College of Engi-
neering, Bangalore, India.
equation:
9.09 × 10−7 (1.192 + ACT −1 )6.993 (4.135IL + 1)4.29
cv = (1)
Ip (2.03IL + 1.192 + ACT −1 )7.993
Where
ACT = Activity
IL = Liquidity index
IP = Plasticity index
It can be observed from Eq 1 that cv is inversely proportional to
the plasticity index.
Raju et al. (1995) proposed an equation to predict cv (in cm2 /s)
for a normally consolidated clay in terms of the void ratio at the
liquid limit (eL ) and the in situ effective overburden pressure, σv

(kPa), given as:
1 + eL (1.23 − 0.276 log σv
) 1
cv = ×
(0.353) × 10−3 (2)
eL σv
The limitation of Eq 2 is that it is from a limited study with
four soils (liquid limit 50–106 % and plastic limit 27–47 %), and
liquid limit is the only soil parameter considered. Soils can have the
same liquid limit but a different plastic limit. Their behavior will
be entirely different. Hence, the generalization is questionable.
Lambe and Whitman (1979) have given a typical range of values
of coefficient of consolidation for soils of varying liquid limits as
shown in Table 1.
Plasticity properties of the soils play a vital role in controlling
the consolidation characteristics. Recently, Sridharan and Nagaraj
(2000) have brought the role of plasticity properties in controlling
the compressibility characteristics. They have shown that shrinkage
index (liquid limit—shrinkage limit) has a better correlation with
compressibility characteristics than the plasticity index or liquid
limit of soils. In this paper, an attempt has been made to find which
of the index properties/indices correlate better with coefficient of
consolidation.

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2 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL

TABLE 1—Typical values for Coefficient of Consolidation. been tested for their physical properties according to ASTM stan-
dards and the results reported in Table 2.
Liquid Lower Limit for Undisturbed Virgin Upper Limit The specific gravity was determined using a pycnometer (stop-
Limit Recompression (m2 /s) Compression (m2 /s) Remolded (m2 /s)
pered bottle having a capacity of 50 mL) as specified by the ASTM
30 3.5 × 10−6 5 × 10−7 1.2 × 10−7 Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soils (D 854-92,
60 3.5 × 10−7 1 × 10−7 3 × 10−8 1995). The specific gravity values are an average of three tests;
100 4 × 10−8 2 × 10−8 1 × 10−8 individual determinations differed from the mean by less than 0.01.
The liquid limit of soils was determined by the cone penetrometer
method as specified by BS: 1377-part 2, 1990. The liquid limit tests
Coefficient of consolidation cv (in m2 /s) can be expressed as: were carried out to obtain a minimum of five points for plotting the
flow curve. The consistency of the soil specimens was adjusted
k
cv = (3) such that the cone penetration ranged between 15 and 25 mm. The
mv γ w plastic limit of the soil specimens was determined by the rolling
Where thread method as outlined in the ASTM Standard Test Method for
Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils (D 4318-
k = hydraulic conductivity (m/s) 93, 1995). The shrinkage limit of soil specimens was determined
mv = coefficient of volume change (m2 /kN) according to ASTM Test Method for Shrinkage Factors of Soils
γw = unit weight of pore fluid (kN/m3 ) by the Mercury Method (D427-83, 1995). While placing the wet
Terzaghi and Peck (1967) indicated that, with decreasing void soil at its liquid limit water content into the shrinkage dish, care
ratio (i.e., with increasing effective vertical consolidation pressure, was taken to expel entrapped air. First allowing the soil to air dry
σv
) both k and mv decrease rapidly so that the ratio (k/mv ) and, under controlled conditions, and then oven drying to a constant
hence, cv , is fairly constant over a wide range of effective vertical mass prevented cracking due to fast drying. The shrinkage lim-
consolidation pressures. Though this is the general understanding its reported are the average of three determinations; the variation
about the variation of cv with pressure, recent findings of Robinson between individual determinations was less than 0.5 %.
and Allam (1998) have shown that cv − σv
relationship is affected Grain-size analysis was done according to ASTM Test Method
by clay mineralogy and, hence, the soil type. This aspect has been for Particle Size Analysis of Soils (D 422-63, 1995) by wet sieving
studied in detail in this paper. of 100 g of dry soil using a 75-µm sieve. The portion retained on the
75-µm sieve was oven dried and sieved using sieves of 300, 212,
and 150-µm sizes. The soil passing through 75-µm was collected
Materials and Methods carefully and air-dried, and the grain-size distribution analysis was
performed by the hydrometer method. The results are presented in
Materials
Table 1.
Ten soils, including a number of natural soils along with com- The mineralogical analysis of the soils was performed using
mercially available kaolinite, covering a wide range of liquid limits an X-ray diffractometer with Cu-kα radiation. The principal clay
(37 % ≤ wL ≤ 74 %), were selected for the present study and have minerals present in the soils are given in Table 1.

TABLE 2—Index properties of soils used.

Grain Size Distribution

Soil Soil
No. Type G∗s wL (%) wP (%) wS (%) IP (%) IS (%) eL eS Sand (%) Silt (%) Clay (%) Mineralogy

1 Red Earth-1 2.70 37.0 18.0 14.7 19.0 22.3 0.99 0.39 35.5 38.5 26.0 kaolinite,
montmorillonite,
muscovite, quartz
2 Silty soil-1 2.65 39.0 29.5 27.4 9.5 11.6 1.03 0.73 36.5 58.5 5.0 Illite, quartz
3 Kaolinite-1 2.65 48.0 35.6 39.0 12.4 9.0 1.27 1.03 16.0 74.5 9.5 kaolinite, quartz
4 Red Earth-2 2.70 48.0 23.2 15.5 24.8 32.5 1.29 0.42 8.0 57.0 35.0 kaolinite,
montmorillonite,
muscovite,quartz
5 Kaolinite-2 2.64 55.0 31.4 33.1 23.6 21.9 1.45 0.87 1.0 67.0 32.0 kaolinite, quartz
6 Cochin clay 2.61 56.4 38.1 21.0 18.3 35.4 1.47 0.55 18.0 64.5 17.5 Illite
7 Brown soil-1 2.66 58.5 32.1 13.5 26.4 45.0 1.56 0.36 19.5 42.5 35.0 Montmorillonite,
kaolinite muscovite,
quartz
8 Kaolinite-3 2.65 58.7 45.2 46.4 13.5 12.3 1.56 1.23 0.0 88.5 11.5 kaolinite, quartz
9 Illitic soil 2.58 73.4 51.9 39.0 21.5 34.4 1.89 1.01 0.9 71.6 27.5 Illite, kaolinite, quartz
10 B C soil-1 2.70 73.5 35.6 11.9 37.9 61.6 1.98 0.32 13.0 35.5 51.5 Montmorillonite, quartz

Note:∗
GS = Specific gravity
wL = Liquid limit
wP = Plastic limit
wS = Shrinkage limit
IP = Plasticity index
IS = hrinkage index
eL = Void ratio at liquid limit
eS = Void ratio at shrinkage limit

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FIG. 1—Typical time-compression curves of ten soils having different
plasticity characteristics for a pressure increment of 50–100 kPa.
One-Dimensional Consolidation Tests
The soils were tested in standard fixed ring consolidometers
using stainless steel rings, 60 mm in diameter and 20 mm high
according to ASTM Standard Test Method for One-Dimensional
Consolidation properties of soils (D 2435-90, 1995). The inside
of the rings was lubricated with silicone grease to minimize side
friction between the ring and the soil specimen. The consolidation
tests were conducted in a room maintained at a uniform temperature
of 20◦ ± 1◦ C.
Taking into consideration initial moisture content, which is an
important parameter controlling the compressibility, the soil spec-
imens were remolded at their respective liquid limit. The initial
water content was set equal to the liquid limit, primarily because it
is the extreme limiting water content above which the soil is about
to flow. These soil specimens were hand remolded in the consoli-
dation rings to a thickness of 20 mm, taking care to prevent any air
entrapment in the specimens. Filter papers were positioned on the
top and bottom of the soil specimens to prevent particles from be-
ing forced into the pores of the porous stones placed on both sides
of the specimen. The porous stones were kept in distilled water
for a sufficient time, and were used in damp condition to avoid
absorption of water from the sample. Each ring with the sample
prepared as described above was placed in a consolidation cell and
screwed tightly to the close fitting metal jacket on top of the cell.
The cell was next mounted and positioned on a loading frame with a
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SRIDHARAN AND NAGARAJ ON REMOLDED SOILS 3
FIG. 2—(a) Typical time/compression versus time plots of the two soils
having different plasticity characteristics for a pressure increment of 50–
100 kPa; (b) Typical time/compression versus time plots of the two soils
having different plasticity characteristics for a pressure increment of 50–
100 kPa.
vertical deflection dial gage properly adjusted and fixed in position
to give proper dial reading under application of load. The cell was
inundated with distilled water and a nominal load of 6.25 kPa was
applied. Care was taken to replenish any evaporated water.
After equilibrium was attained as indicated by the nearly constant
readings on the dial gage, conventional oedometer tests were carried
out. A load increment ratio of unity was adopted and each load
maintained until near equilibrium had been attained. Each specimen
was loaded to a maximum of 800 kPa and later unloaded with a
load decrement ratio of unity.
Results and Discussion
From the one-dimensional consolidation tests done on each of the
ten soils, the cv values were calculated using rectangular hyperbola
method (Sridharan et al. 1987; Bowles 1996). Figure 1 shows a
time-compression plot of all the ten soils tested in the present study
for a pressure increment of 50–100 kPa. Similar results have been
obtained for other pressure increments. Figures 2a and b show the
time/compression versus time plots of the data presented in Fig.
1. From these plots, cv values were calculated using rectangular
hyperbola method. Values of cv for Soil Nos. 3, 4, 8, and 7 in the
pressure range of 50–100 kPa are shown in Figs. 2a and b.
4 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL
FIG. 3—(a) Effective vertical consolidation pressure versus coefficient of
consolidation of two sets of two soils each having liquid limit approximately
38 and 74 %; (b) Effective vertical consolidation pressure versus coefficient
of consolidation of a set of two soils having shrinkage index approximately
35 %.
It is a usual practice to plot the experimentally obtained cv as a
function of applied effective vertical consolidation pressure (σv
).
Figure 3a shows the plot of cv versus effective consolidation pres-
sure on log-log plot for the two pairs of soils having nearly the same
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liquid limit wL nearly equal to 39 and 74 %), but different plastic-
ity characteristics. From the figure, it is clear that even though the
liquid limit of the pairs of soil is nearly the same, the cv versus σv

relationship is different. For the soil pairs having nearly the same
liquid limit, the measured cv values are one order of magnitude
lower for the soil with a higher shrinkage index. It can also be
observed that for the soils having nearly the same liquid limit, soil
with lesser shrinkage index or plasticity index shows an increasing
trend of cv versus σv
. Whether soil with higher shrinkage index or
plasticity index, there is a decreasing trend of cv versus σv
. Similar
results were obtained for other three pairs of soils. Further, it can
be seen from Fig. 3b, which is Plot cv versus effective consolida-
tion pressure on a log-log plot of two soils having nearly the same
shrinkage index (IS nearly equal to 35 %) but having different liq-
uid limits, that these soils have a similar range of cv versus effective
consolidation pressure.
Recently, Robinson and Allam (1998) have studied the varia-
tion of cv versus σv
. They have discussed the role of mineralogy
and the mechanical and physico-chemical factors on the cv ver-
sus σv
behavior. They have concluded that the increasing behavior
of cv versus σv
is due to the compressibility of such soils being
FIG. 4—(a) Relationship between the coefficient of consolidation and the
liquid limit for a pressure increment of 50–100 kPa; (b) Relationship be-
tween the coefficient of consolidation and the plasticity index for a pressure
increment of 50–100 kPa; (c) Relationship between the coefficient of con-
solidation and the shrinkage index for a pressure increment of 50–100 kPa;
(d) Relationship between the coefficient of consolidation and the shrinkage
index for a pressure increment of 100–200 kPa.

FIG. 5—Relationship between the coefficient of consolidation and the
liquid limit for various effective vertical consolidation pressures.
governed by mechanical factors, and the opposite behavior for soils
whose compressibility behavior is controlled by physico-chemical
factors.
It is well known that the coefficient of consolidation is a pa-
rameter that indicates the rate of compression of a saturated soil
undergoing compression, which in turn directly depends on the hy-
draulic conductivity of the soil medium undergoing compression
(refer to Eq 3). The authors feel that for a soil that is more plastic as
indicated by higher plasticity index or shrinkage index, hydraulic
conductivity of the soil at any stress level will be less as compared
to a soil that is less plastic. The reason being that the thickness
of diffuse double layer (ddl) will be relatively larger for a highly
plastic soil as compared to a less plastic soil. The thicker the ddl,
the greater the reduction in the effective pore size for flow, and
hence, reduction in the hydraulic conductivity of soil. The authors
feel that this may be the reason for cv values being relatively higher
for less plastic soils than for more plastic soils, though their liquid
limit is nearly the same.
The authors also feel that as the effective consolidation pressure
for a normally consolidated soil increases, the soil particles become
more oriented and also come close to each other. As a consequence,
for more plastic soils, the diffuse double layer repulsive forces mo-
bilize, acting against the external loading, and hence, offer more
resistance to compression (both rate and amount). This may be the
reason for the decreasing trend of cv versus σv
for more plastic
soils. In the case of less plastic soils whose compressibility behav-
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SRIDHARAN AND NAGARAJ ON REMOLDED SOILS 5
FIG. 6—Relationship between the coefficient of consolidation and the
plasticity index for various effective vertical consolidation pressures.
ior is governed mainly by mechanical forces, as the consolidation
pressure increases, the gravitational forces increase and will over-
ride the little repulsive pressure at the particle level in retarding the
compression of soil, and hence, the increase in the rate of compres-
sion of the soil, i.e., an increase in cv with pressure. This explains
the varying trends of cv versus σv
for soils with different plasticity
properties.
The following paragraphs discuss which index parameter corre-
lates better with cv . Figures 4a and b show the variation of cv with
liquid limit and plasticity index, respectively, for a pressure incre-
ment of 50–100 kPa. Similarly, Figs. 4c and d show the variations
of cv with shrinkage index for pressure increment of 50–100 kPa
and 100–200 kPa, respectively. It can be observed from Fig. 4a
that scatter is more in cv values with the liquid limit and, therefore,
correlation is poor. Further, from Fig. 4b, it is clear that a better
correlation exists between cv and the plasticity index, as compared
to cv versus the liquid limit. Lastly, from Figs. 4c and d, it is evident
that the correlation between cv and shrinkage index is better either
than plasticity index or liquid limit. Similar behavior is observed
for all pressure ranges. Further, to propose a correlation equation
for predicting cv , the results of variation of cv with effective verti-
cal consolidation pressure is plotted against the index parameters
namely, the liquid limit, the plasticity index, and shrinkage index,
as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, respectively. From these figures, it
is clear that the scatter is the least in the case of shrinkage index
(Fig. 7), and the correlation is better with a correlation coefficient,
6 GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL
FIG. 7—Relationship between the coefficient of consolidation and the
shrinkage index for various effective vertical consolidation pressures.
r = 0.94, and the equation is given as:
3 ogy on Coefficient of Consolidation,” Clays and Clay Minerals,
cv =
100 (IS )3.54
Where, cv = coefficient of consolidation in m2 /s.
Earlier, Carrier (1985) in his empirical study has shown that the
plasticity index controls cv , and they are inversely related. From the
present study, it has become clear that shrinkage index is a better
correlative parameter than the plasticity index in predicting cv as
given by Eq 4.
It can be mentioned here that though coefficient of consolidation
has a better correlation with shrinkage index than plasticity index,
in the absence of shrinkage limit data, which is normally not deter-
mined in routine testing of soils as compared to plastic limit, the
correlation between cv and plasticity index, although less strong,
can be used for prediction purposes.
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Conclusions
In this paper an attempt has been made to explain more logically
the variations in the values of cv and also the varying trends of
cv versus the effective vertical consolidation pressure for soils with
different plasticity properties, though the liquid limit of the soils are
nearly the same. The inferences and conclusions drawn are based
on results obtained from remolded soils. They need to be verified
for undisturbed and overconsolidated soils. Based on the results, a
better correlation equation has been proposed to predict cv in terms
of shrinkage index. However, in the absence of shrinkage limit
data, which is normally not determined in routine testing of soils
as compared to plastic limit, the correlation between coefficient of
consolidation and plasticity index, although less strong, can be used
for prediction purposes.
References
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Book Company, New York, pp. 66–68.
Carrier, W. D., III, 1985, “Consolidation Parameters Derived
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Lambe, T. W. and Whitman, R. V., 1979, Soil Mechanics, John
Wiley and Sons, New York.
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